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R. L. FRASER.

Fastenings for Reins.

Patented July 23,1872.

p mil m Mb ro-u rHamAPH/c 00. ,v. Nosed/M53 M 005551 RALPH L. FRASER, OFWESTERNVILLE, NEW YORK.

IMPRVEMENTIN FASTENINGS FOR RElNS.

Specificationforming part of Letters Patent No. 129,508, dated July 23,1872.

Srncmronrion. To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH L. FRAsER, of

- Westernville, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, haveinvented an Innproved Fastening for Reins and other parts of Harness, orother purpose, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of my invention to furnish a substitute for the buckleand billet and snap-hook usually employed for the purpose,

and provide a fastening device which is capable of being more readilyconnected, is equally strong and durable, and incapable of accidentaldisconnection; and it consists.

in forming a metallic bridle or other harness, ring, or bar, (as in thelever bridle-bit,) or the equivalent of such part, with a longitudinalslot having an enlarged head or opening,

" and in combination therewith providing the rein ,or" other strap to beconnected with a button, knob, or other enlargement at itsconnecting-end of such size and shape that it will pass through theenlarged head, but cannot pass the 'slot' at any other point.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is i a side View of a bridlebit,rihg, and end portion of a rein-strap'ihaccordance with my fasteningdevice. Fig. 2vis an edge view of the ring, showing the open-headedslot. Fig. 3 isan edge view of the connecting-end of the rein-strap;Fig. 4, a side view of a lever or gag bit, having the open headed slotboth in the ring and in the lever portion or bar. Fig. 5 is an edge viewof the same.

, In carrying my invention into practice the bridle-ring A is splitlongitudinally and parallel with its plane for a length equal toonequarter of its circumference or thereabout. The slit is then expandedlaterally to form a slotfb, Figs. 2 and 5, of suflicie'nt width toreceive the rein-strap, and its upper extremity is enlarged laterally toa size greater than the width of the slot, as shown at c. Theform ofthis enlarged open head may be circular,

or of other shapeto suit the taste or convenience, and the ring may bemade of wrought or malleable cast-iron or other metal, The bridle-end ofthe rein or other strap f, which is to be connected with the ring, isformed with an enlargement, preferably made by doubling around a smallbit of leather, 6, or other substance, and stitching the end to thestrap, thus securing it, and forming a cylin= drical head or button, 9,of such size as to pass easily through the open head of the slot, whenthe weight of the strap causes it to fall to the bottom of the slot,securely connecting the two parts together. When applied to lever or gaghits the slot 11 a is duplicated in the lever-end of the bar b c, thatpart being preferably made of segmental shape, as at D. To disconnectthem the rein must be drawn forward and the enlarged end g guidedthrough the open head, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1-an operationwhich must be directed by intelligence, and cannot occur accidentally,thus rendering the fastening perfectly reliable, while it is fastenedand unfastened with greater facility than the buckle, the expense ofwhich and the billet it saves,

ismuch more durable, does not catch in the martingale-rings or otherparts of the harness,

and is equally strong, the amount of metal being the same as in thecommon ring, only differently disposed. Its form and simplicity are moreconducive to beauty, while in fine harness it possesses the importantadvantage of not exposing the plated portions of the bit to wear fromthe friction of the strap or snaphook on the external surface of thering or bar.

It is obvious that a metallic connecting device admitting of a greatvariety of form might be used in connection with the rein to engage withthe slotted ring and form a reliable fastening, and therefore I do notconfine myself to the described mode of forming the connecting portionof the rein-strap, though I prefer it for its simplicity, cheapness, andentire adaptation to the purposes of the invention.

I claim as my invention- A mode of fastening straps to rings or theirequivalent in harness, consisting of the slotted ring A and an enlargedhead, knob, or button, g, upon a strap, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

RALPH L. r leases.

Witnesses 2 Z. HILL, A. B. SWAN.

